Consumption Of Organic Matter Research Articles

Utilization of Nutrition and Performance of Local Male Goats Given Concentrate Containing Fermented Cow Rumen Content Waste

The aim of the research was to determine the effect of feeding concentrates containing fermented cow rumen waste on the consumption and digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, nitrogen, NDF and ADF of local male goats. This research was conducted for 5 months using 20 local male goats aged 8-10 months with an average body weight of 11.71 kg and CV 12%. This experimental research used a completely randomized design with 4 treatments and 5 replications. The treatment is as follows P0: Kume grass 70% + concentrate 30% (without fermented cow rumen contents); P10: kume grass 70% + concentrate 30% (concentrate contains fermented cow rumen contents); P20: kume grass 70% + concentrate 30% (concentrate contains 20% contents of fermented cow rumen); P30: kume grass 70% + concentrate 30% (concentrate contains 30% contents of fermented cow rumen). The results of the variance analysis showed that the treatment had no significant effect of p>0.05 on the consumption and digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, nitrogen, NDF and ADF in local male goats. The conclusion of this research is that concentrate supplementation containing fermented cow rumen waste up to a level of 30% gives relatively the same effect between each treatment on the consumption and digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, nitrogen, NDF and ADF of local male goats.

Recognizing microbial manganese reduction in lacustrine carbonate and its linkage to terrestrial biogeochemical processes

Carbonate authigenesis, the in situ precipitation of carbonate minerals within the sediment porewaters, is a key pathway for carbonate deposition and plays a crucial role in global biogeochemical cycles. Heterotrophic microorganisms are essential in regulating authigenic carbonate formation, primarily through the consumption of organic matter. Although bacterial manganese reduction is known to influence the formation of rhodochrosite and dolomite, its role in limestone deposition is unclear. Here, we present a systematic investigation of mixed calcareous siliciclastic rocks from a Paleogene freshwater lake to identify the formation of authigenic carbonate, decode the role of microbial Mn reduction, and understand the microbial response to ancient lacustrine environmental changes. The positive correlation between carbonate fraction in bulk samples (Carb%) and Mn content in carbonate minerals (Mncarb) suggests that carbonate precipitation is stimulated by Mn2+ enrichment. The dissimilarity between Mncarb and Fecarb, along with the synergic variations of Mncarb and diagenetic indicators, support an authigenic rather than a hydrogenetic origin for the carbonates. Using a one-dimensional diffusion–advection-reaction model, we quantify the impact of Mn reduction on promoting carbonate precipitation. Furthermore, correlations between Pcarb and other values–positive with the chemical index alteration (CIA), negative with Mncarb, and none with TOC–suggest that nitrogen availability, regulated by continental weathering, is likely the primary factor limiting both the primary productivity and the bacterial reduction intensity at the study site. Overall, this study uncovers the role of microbial Mn reduction in stimulating authigenic carbonate precipitation, and reveals the modulation mechanism of Mn-reducing microorganisms in an ancient lake. These findings shed new light on the authigenic limestone formation mechanisms and provide a new perspective on interpreting the authigenic impacts on carbonate chemistry.

Effect of supplementation of cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) cladodes, Acacia saligna, wheat bran and cotton seed cake on feed intake, digestibility, growth and carcass characteristics of goats

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementation of cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) cladodes, Acacia saligna, wheat bran and cotton seed cake on growth, digestibility, intake and carcass characteristics of goats. A randomized complete block design was used in the experiment with 24 yearling central highland goats with an initial body weight of 15.6 - 16.1kg. The same amount of grass hay (GH) + 150 gDM/head/day wheat bran (WB) was given to all animals. The experimental diets consisted of 80 cotton seed cake (CSC) as treatment 1 (T1), 45CSC +160 cactus cladodes (CC) as T2, 45CSC+ 80 Acacia saligna (AS) as T3, and 45CSC+80CC+40AS as T4 (gram dry matter: DM, per day per goat), Data were gathered on the goats' growth, digestibility, intake, and carcass of major organs, edible and nonedible organs. The consumption of dry matter and organic matter was higher in goats fed T2 and T4 than in the T1 group. The DM, organic matter (OM) and crude protein (CP) digestibility, average daily body weight gain and feed conversion efficiency were higher in T4 and T3 goats when compared to T2 goats. Goats fed on T4 had higher hot carcass weight and dressing percentage on slaughter body weight basis than T2, T3, and T1 supplemented goats. Generally, the experimental diets improved goats’ performance in descending order (T4 > T3 >T1 >T2). Supplementation of T4 (replacement of 35 g DM of cotton seed cake per day by 40g of Acacia saligna and 80g of cactus cladodes on dry matter bases) could be recommended to improve goat performance.

The effects of earthworm species on organic matter transformations and soil microbial communities are only partially related to their bioturbation activity

Earthworms are pivotal in shaping soil ecological processes through their bioturbation activity and organic matter consumption. Earthworm species are known to have different impacts on soil structure, but only a small number of species have been studied so far, and few studies have examined how earthworms simultaneously affect soil functions. Here, we measured the impact of different earthworm species on soil structure (bioturbation function), carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) dynamics and the microbial community (organic matter transformation function), while exploring the links between these functions, across distinct soil compartments (surface casts, below-ground drilosphere, and bulk soil). Six earthworm species (Lumbricus terrestris, Allolobophora chlorotica, Octolasion cyaneum, Octodrilus complanatus, Aporrectodea caliginosa meridionalis and Microscolex dubius) of different ecological categories and functional groups were incubated in soil cores with soil and alfalfa litter for 6 weeks. Our results on the bioturbation function illustrated a great diversity of behaviors and confirmed the relevance of a functional classification based on bioturbation metrics. The main microbial hotspots were surface casts, whose characteristics allowed to distinguish two groups of species. Octod. complanatus, L. terrestris and M. dubius induced high humidity (respectively, +57, +48, +74%), high C (respectively, 19.9, 24.8, 33.2 g kg⁻1 dry soil) and N (respectively, 2, 2.3, 3.2 g kg⁻1 dry soil) content and microbial community selection, promoting C and N mineralization. The three other species had a lower impact. The below-ground drilosphere only showed specific characteristics in the case of L. terrestris. The effects of the studied species on the organic matter transformation function did not align with their bioturbation activities nor with their ecological category. These findings show that the contribution of earthworms to C and N turnover is only partially dependent on their bioturbation effects and suggest the usefulness of developing distinct functional groups based on the specific soil functions under consideration.

Unraveling the role of black soldier fly larvae in chicken manure conversion: Facilitating maturation and enhancing humification

Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) have garnered considerable attention for their efficacy in mitigating waste management challenges. However, their potential in treating antibiotics contaminated chicken manure remains uncertain. This study investigates the physicochemical properties changes and nutrient dynamics during the composting of contaminated-chicken manure using BSFL. The results indicate that BSFL treatment reduces electrical conductivity (by 6.01–58.09 %), organic matter, and dissolved organic carbon content in chicken manure throughout the composting process, while maintaining a more stable pH value (pH ∼ 6.0–8.0). This is attributed to the consumption of organic matter by BSFL and the subsequent promotion of organic acid formation. Additionally, BSFL treatment improves the degree of aromatization of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in chicken manure and increases the proportions of fulvic acid (up to 48.77 %) and humic acid (maximally 14.27 %) within the DOM. The germination index and pot experiments indicated improved compost maturity and plant growth in BSFL-treated composts. Furthermore, BSFL meal demonstrated high protein and essential fatty acid content, highlighting its potential as a protein supplement in animal feed. This study underscores the efficacy of BSFL in enhancing compost quality and nutrient availability, offering a sustainable solution for waste management and animal feed production.

Complete feed of corn silage and its effect on male Bali cattle performance, feed consumption, and beef quality

<p class="MDPI17abstract"><strong><span lang="EN-US">Objective: </span></strong><span lang="EN">This study aims to observe the effect of </span><span lang="IN">feeding </span><span lang="EN">corn silage combined with elephant grass and cheap concentrate feed on male Bali cattle performance, feed consumption, and beef quality. </span></p><p class="MDPI17abstract"><strong><span lang="EN-US">Methods: </span></strong><span lang="EN">Animal feed testing was performed in male Bali cattle weighing 150-200 kg for 90 days, and the cattle were slaughtered in a slaughterhouse to observe the beef quality. This study employed a completely randomized design with 4 treatments and 3 replicates. Research treatment: The proportion of 30% corn silage + 60% elephant grass + 10% concentrate feed as A1; 50% corn silage + 40% elephant grass + 10% concentrate feed as A2; 70% corn silage + 20% elephant grass + 10% concentrate feed as A3; 100% corn silage as A4. The observed parameters in include average daily gain, dry matter consumption, organic matter consumption, crude protein consumption, total digestible nutrients, tenderness, beef color, water-holding capacity, cooking loss, and aroma. </span></p><p class="MDPI17abstract"><strong><span lang="EN-US">Results: </span></strong><a name="_heading=h.30j0zll"></a><span lang="EN">The results showed that the treatments significantly affect the consumption of dry matter with the highest A4 is 2.44% of body weight, organic matter with the highest A3 is 8.43 kg/head/day, crude protein with the highest A3 is 0.82 kg/head/day, and total digestible nutrients with the highest A3 is 4.88 kg/head/day. There is a significant difference in daily average weight gain (ADG) from the three treatments (P<0.05).</span></p><p><strong><span lang="EN-US">Conclusions: </span></strong><span lang="EN">It can be concluded that A3 treatment, supplemented with 70% corn silage concentration, 20% elephant grass, and 10% concentrate feed is more effective in improving male Bali cattle performance, feed, consumption, and beef quality</span><span lang="EN-US">.</span></p>

Effect of lignite addition on hydrogen yield from corn straw

ABSTRACT The hydrogen production by fermentation of simple corn straw is low yield, it is necessary to explore the addition of other substances to increase the hydrogen production of corn straw. Therefore, lignite was used as an additive in this study. The effects of different lignite additions on hydrogen production from corn straw and the changes of substances in the fermentation broth were studied. The results showed that the total gas production of the experimental group with 20% lignite addition was 1.63 mL/g, which was 2.07 times that of the control group without corn straw addition, and the daily hydrogen production peak of the experimental group with 20% lignite addition reached 1.19 mL/g, which was 120.37% higher than that of the control group. The addition of lignite also promoted the degradation of humic acid, benzoic acid, glucose, pyruvic acid, volatile matter and fixed carbon in the reaction system. In summary, lignite has a significant role in promoting hydrogen production from corn straw, and the experimental group with 20% lignite has the best hydrogen production from corn straw. The addition of lignite increased the carbon content in the fermentation system, improved the distribution of organic acids, promoted the consumption of organic matter and fixed carbon, and promoted hydrogen production from corn straw.

Anaerobic digestion model number 1 applied to the modeling of anaerobic digestion of residues generated in soluble coffee processing

The Anaerobic Digestion Model No. 1 (ADM1) was applied in this study to simulate the anaerobic digestion (AD) of wastewaters from soluble coffee processing in sequential batch reactors. As these substrates present considerable levels of phenolic compounds, modifications were made to the basic structure of the ADM1. Additionally, the Luong inhibition model replaced the Monod model to describe the consumption of soluble organic matter. On the other hand, the removal of phenolic compounds was carried out using the Haldane model, appropriate when the inhibition by excess substrate is present, taking into account in this case the quantification of phenols and benzoic acid as total phenols. The new ADM1-based model was calibrated with experimental data from the AD of post hydrothermal wastewater (PHWW) of spent coffee grounds (SCG) and validated with experimental data of the AD of effluents produced during the soluble coffee processing. The simulation results demonstrated that the new model moderately described the removal of phenolic compounds ( > 90 %), methane production (2.243 kgCODm−3 in calibration and 6.16 kgCODm−3 in validation), and the production and consumption of organic acids over time. However, in future research new metabolic pathways may be included in the model to improve its quality even more.

Alpha-glucans from bacterial necromass indicate an intra-population loop within the marine carbon cycle

Phytoplankton blooms provoke bacterioplankton blooms, from which bacterial biomass (necromass) is released via increased zooplankton grazing and viral lysis. While bacterial consumption of algal biomass during blooms is well-studied, little is known about the concurrent recycling of these substantial amounts of bacterial necromass. We demonstrate that bacterial biomass, such as bacterial alpha-glucan storage polysaccharides, generated from the consumption of algal organic matter, is reused and thus itself a major bacterial carbon source in vitro and during a diatom-dominated bloom. We highlight conserved enzymes and binding proteins of dominant bloom-responder clades that are presumably involved in the recycling of bacterial alpha-glucan by members of the bacterial community. We furthermore demonstrate that the corresponding protein machineries can be specifically induced by extracted alpha-glucan-rich bacterial polysaccharide extracts. This recycling of bacterial necromass likely constitutes a large-scale intra-population energy conservation mechanism that keeps substantial amounts of carbon in a dedicated part of the microbial loop.

Redox potential model for guiding moderate oxidation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soils

In-situ chemical oxidation is an important approach to remediate soils contaminated with persistent organic pollutants, e.g., polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). However, massive oxidants are added into soils without an explicit model for predicting the redox potential (Eh) during soil remediation, and overdosed oxidants would pose secondary damage by disturbing soil organic matter and acidity. Here, a soil redox potential (Eh) model was first established to quantify the relationship among oxidation parameters, crucial soil properties, and pollutant elimination. The impacts of oxidant types and doses, soil pH, and soil organic carbon contents on soil Eh were systematically clarified in four commonly used oxidation systems (i.e., KMnO4, H2O2, fenton, and persulfate). The relative error of preliminary Eh model was increased from 48–62% to 4–16% after being modified with the soil texture and dissolved organic carbon, and this high accuracy was verified by 12 actual PAHs contaminated soils. Combining the discovered critical oxidation potential (COP) of PAHs, the moderate oxidation process could be regulated by the guidance of the soil Eh model in different soil conditions. Moreover, the product analysis revealed that the hydroxylation of PAHs occurred most frequently when the soil Eh reached their COP, providing a foundation for further microorganism remediation. These results provide a feasible strategy for selecting oxidants and controlling their doses toward moderate oxidation of contaminated soils, which will reduce the consumption of soil organic matter and protect the main structure and function of soil for future utilization. Environmental implicationsThis study provides a novel insight into the moderate chemical oxidation by the Eh model and largely reduces the secondary risks of excessive oxidation and oxidant residual in ISCO. The moderate oxidation of PAHs could be a first step to decrease their toxicity and increase their bioaccessibility, favoring the microbial degradation of PAHs. Controlling the soil Eh with the established model here could be a promising approach to couple moderate oxidation of organic contaminants with microbial degradation. Such an effective and green soil remediation will largely preserve the soil’s functional structure and favor the subsequent utilization of remediated soil.

Sediment microbial fuel cell monitoring repeated Cr(VI) shocks in different wetlands for a year: Performance and mechanism

Cr(VI) is a major heavy metal contaminant that poses great threats to aquatic ecosystems and human health. To guarantee the safety of water quality, the development of in-situ and online sensors for monitoring Cr(VI) contamination events is crucial. In this work, sediment microbial fuel cell (SMFC) based sensors using floating cathode as sensing element were operated in outdoor environment for one year to monitor repeated Cr(VI) shocks in wetlands constructed with coastal alkaline soil (YC), paddy of acidic soil (YT), and paddy of neutral soil (NJ). K2CrO4 solutions were added to the cathode four times in January, March, June, and September, respectively. Results showed that each Cr(VI) addition triggered a voltage peak and the voltage increments were linearly correlated with Cr(VI) concentrations within the range of 5–120 mg L−1 Cr(VI). The highest sensitivity was observed for YC (1.2 mV L mg−1) and YT (1.4 mV L mg−1) in June and for NJ (1.2 mV L mg−1) in September. XPS analysis demonstrated the reduction reaction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) on the cathode might contribute to the generation of voltage peaks. Despite repeated shocks, Cr(VI) was immobilized in the soil and completely reduced to low-toxic Cr(III) with the consumption of soil organic matter, and the diversity and abundance of exoelectrogenic bacteria-associated genera were not inhibited. As a result, stable operation of the SMFC sensors was ensured. The SMFC sensors exhibited great potential for in-situ and online monitoring of Cr(VI) contamination events across various wetlands.

Polyester microfiber impacts on coastal sediment organic matter consumption

As plastic pollution continues to accumulate at the seafloor, concerns around benthic ecosystem functionality heightens. This research demonstrates the systematic effects of polyester microfibers on seafloor organic matter consumption rates, an important benthic ecosystem function connected to multiple reactions and processes. We used a field-based assay to measure the loss of organic matter, both with and without polyester microfiber contamination. We identified sediment organic matter content, mud content, and mean grain size as the main drivers of organic matter consumption, however, polyester microfiber contamination decoupled ecosystem relationships and altered observed organic matter cycling dynamics. Organic matter consumption rates varied across horizontal and vertical spaces, highlighting that consumption and associated plastic effects are dependent on environmental heterogeneity at both small (within sites) and larger (between sites) scales. Our results emphasize the important role habitat heterogeneity plays in seafloor organic matter consumption and the associated effects of plastic pollution on ecosystem function.

A theory for context-dependent effects of mammalian trampling on ecosystem nitrogen cycling.

Large mammalian herbivores substantially impact ecosystem functioning. As their populations are dramatically altered globally, disentangling their consumptive and non-consumptive effects is critical to advance mechanistic understanding and improve prediction of effects over ecosystem and Earth-system spatial extents. Mathematical models have played an important role in clarifying potential mechanisms of herbivore zoogeochemistry, based mostly on their consumptive effects as primary consumers and recyclers of organic and inorganic matter via defecation and urination. Trampling is a ubiquitous effect among walking vertebrates, but the consequences and potential mechanisms of trampling in diverse environments remain poorly understood. We derive a novel mathematical model of large mammalian herbivore effects on ecosystem nitrogen cycling, focusing on how trampling and environmental context impact soil processes. We model herbivore trampling with a linear positive or negative additive effect on soil-mediated nitrogen cycling processes. Combining analytical and numerical analyses, we find trampling by large mammalian herbivores is likely to decrease nitrogen mineralisation rate across diverse environments, such as temperate grassland and boreal forest. These effects are mediated by multiple potential mechanisms, including trampling-induced changes to detritivore biomass and functioning (e.g. rate of organic matter consumption). We also uncover scenarios where trampling can increase nitrogen mineralisation rate, contingent on the environment-specific relative sensitivity of detritivore mineral-nitrogen release and detritivore mortality, to trampling. In contrast to some consumptive mechanisms, our results suggest the pace of soil nitrogen cycling prior to trampling has little influence over the direction of the trampling net effect on nitrogen mineralisation, but that net effects may be greater in slow-cycling systems (e.g. boreal forests) than in fast-cycling systems (e.g. grasslands). Our model clarifies the potential consequences of previously overlooked mechanisms of zoogeochemistry that are common to all terrestrial biomes. Our results provide empirically testable predictions to guide future progress in empirical and theoretical studies of herbivore effects in diverse environmental contexts. Resolving ecological contingencies around animal consumptive and non-consumptive effects will improve whole-ecosystem management efforts such as restoration and rewilding.

Effect of Adding Synbiotic Isolate Pediococcus Pentosaceus Strain N6 and Cassava Peel Flour on the Digestibility of Dry Matter and Organic Matter of Super Native Chickens

Effect of Adding Synbiotic Isolate Pediococcus Pentosaceus Strain N6 and Cassava Peel Flour on the Digestibility of Dry Matter and Organic Matter of Super Native Chickens

In situ arsenic immobilization by natural iron (oxyhydr)oxide precipitates in As–contaminated groundwater irrigation canals

Arsenic-contaminated groundwater is widely used in agriculture. To meet the increasing demand for safe water in agriculture, an efficient and cost-effective method for As removal from groundwater is urgently needed. We hypothesized that Fe (oxyhydr)oxide (FeOOH) minerals precipitated in situ from indigenous Fe in groundwater may immobilize As, providing a solution for safely using As-contaminated groundwater in irrigation. To confirm this hypothesis and identify the controlling mechanisms, we comprehensively evaluated the transport, speciation changes, and immobilization of As and Fe in agricultural canals irrigated using As-contaminated groundwater. The efficiently removed As and Fe in the canals accumulated in shallow sediment rather than subsurface sediment. Linear combination fitting (LCF) analysis of X–ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (XANES) indicated that As(V) was the dominant As species, followed by As(III), and there was no FeAsO4 precipitate. Sequential extraction revealed higher contents of amorphous FeOOH and associated As in shallower sediment than in the subsurface layer. Stoichiometric molar ratio calculations, SEM‒EDS, FTIR, and fluorescence spectroscopy collectively demonstrated that the microbial reductive dissolution of amorphous FeOOH proceeded via reactive dissolved organic matter (DOM) consumption in subsurface anoxic porewater environment facilitating high labile As, whereas in surface sediment, the in situ-generated amorphous FeOOH was stable and strongly inhibited As release via adsorption. In summary, groundwater Fe2+ can efficiently precipitate in benthic surface sediment as abundant amorphous FeOOH, which immobilizes most of the dissolved As, protecting agricultural soil from contamination. This field research supports the critical roles of the phase and reactivity of in situ-generated FeOOH in As immobilization and provides new insight into the sustainable use of contaminated water.

Environment-specific virocell metabolic reprogramming.

Viruses impact microbial systems through killing hosts, horizontal gene transfer, and altering cellular metabolism, consequently impacting nutrient cycles. A virus-infected cell, a "virocell," is distinct from its uninfected sister cell as the virus commandeers cellular machinery to produce viruses rather than replicate cells. Problematically, virocell responses to the nutrient-limited conditions that abound in nature are poorly understood. Here we used a systems biology approach to investigate virocell metabolic reprogramming under nutrient limitation. Using transcriptomics, proteomics, lipidomics, and endo- and exo-metabolomics, we assessed how low phosphate (low-P) conditions impacted virocells of a marine Pseudoalteromonas host when independently infected by two unrelated phages (HP1 and HS2). With the combined stresses of infection and nutrient limitation, a set of nested responses were observed. First, low-P imposed common cellular responses on all cells (virocells and uninfected cells), including activating the canonical P-stress response, and decreasing transcription, translation, and extracellular organic matter consumption. Second, low-P imposed infection-specific responses (for both virocells), including enhancing nitrogen assimilation and fatty acid degradation, and decreasing extracellular lipid relative abundance. Third, low-P suggested virocell-specific strategies. Specifically, HS2-virocells regulated gene expression by increasing transcription and ribosomal protein production, whereas HP1-virocells accumulated host proteins, decreased extracellular peptide relative abundance, and invested in broader energy and resource acquisition. These results suggest that although environmental conditions shape metabolism in common ways regardless of infection, virocell-specific strategies exist to support viral replication during nutrient limitation, and a framework now exists for identifying metabolic strategies of nutrient-limited virocells in nature.

Nutrient Intake, Nutrient Digestibility, Growth Performance, and Blood Parameters of Kacang Goats with GDF9 Genotype

This study aims to determine the different growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) genotypes in Kacang goats and their influence on the animals’ nutrient intake, digestibility, digestible nutrients, performance, and blood chemical composition. Twenty-five Kacang goats underwent PCR-RFLP using the MspI enzyme to determine their genotype. Genotyping results showed that 16 Kacang goats had the AA genotype, whereas 9 had the AC genotype. Following a completely randomized design in a 2 × 2 factorial pattern, the goats were divided into two diet groups (consisting of both genotypes): Diet 1 consisted of Elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) supplemented ad libitum and 400 g of concentrate, and Diet 2 was a total mixed ration. No significant interaction effect (P > 0.05) between diet and genotype on nutrient intake, digestible nutrients dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), nitrogen free extract (NFE), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and nitrogen of neutral detergent fiber (N-NDF), and nutrient digestibility (DM, OM, NFE, NDF, and N-NDF). However, a significant interaction effect between diet and genotype (P < 0.05) was observed for CP digestibility and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels. Diet 1 reduced OM consumption by 15.16%, NFE by 26.87%, and digestible NFE nutrients by 31.29% compared with Diet 2. The average daily gain and relative daily gain (%) were lower in Diet 1 compared to Diet 2. The goats with the AC genotype exhibited higher CP digestibility and had the lowest BUN levels compared with those with the AA genotype. This study concluded that providing high-quality feed to goats results in their good performance, and Kacang goats with the AC genotype demonstrates more optimal CP digestibility and performance compared with those with the AA genotype.

Rainforest transformation reallocates energy from green to brown food webs

Terrestrial animal biodiversity is increasingly being lost because of land-use change1,2. However, functional and energetic consequences aboveground and belowground and across trophic levels in megadiverse tropical ecosystems remain largely unknown. To fill this gap, we assessed changes in energy fluxes across ‘green’ aboveground (canopy arthropods and birds) and ‘brown’ belowground (soil arthropods and earthworms) animal food webs in tropical rainforests and plantations in Sumatra, Indonesia. Our results showed that most of the energy in rainforests is channelled to the belowground animal food web. Oil palm and rubber plantations had similar or, in the case of rubber agroforest, higher total animal energy fluxes compared to rainforest but the key energetic nodes were distinctly different: in rainforest more than 90% of the total animal energy flux was channelled by arthropods in soil and canopy, whereas in plantations more than 50% of the energy was allocated to annelids (earthworms). Land-use change led to a consistent decline in multitrophic energy flux aboveground, whereas belowground food webs responded with reduced energy flux to higher trophic levels, down to −90%, and with shifts from slow (fungal) to fast (bacterial) energy channels and from faeces production towards consumption of soil organic matter. This coincides with previously reported soil carbon stock depletion3. Here we show that well-documented animal biodiversity declines with tropical land-use change4–6 are associated with vast energetic and functional restructuring in food webs across aboveground and belowground ecosystem compartments.

Effects of Using Different Concentrate Supplementation Levels in Diets of Lambs Fed Tropical Aruana (Megathyrsus maximus) or Marandu (Brachiaria brizantha) Grass: Performance, Digestibility, and Costs of Production

In Brazil, grazing is the main or only source of food for livestock. The appropriate combination of supplementation with concentrate in a lamb’s diet on pasture is an alternative that can be explored to use natural resources to produce quality meat. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effects of different supplementation levels (0%, 1.5%, and 3% of BW) on the intake, performance, and production costs of lambs grazing on Aruana (Megathyrsus maximus) and Marandu (Brachiaria brizantha) grasses. Thirty-six non-castrated male Suffolk lambs (22.54 ± 2.72 kg) were used. The lambs were evaluated for nutrient intake and digestibility, such as dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and consumption in relation to body weight (% BW), in addition to the average daily gain (ADG), body condition score (BCS), and hot carcass weight (HCW), as well as the rising production cost of each system. The dry matter of the green leaf blades was influenced by the pasture type (p < 0.05), producing 1503.6 vs. 2977.4 kg/ha of Aruana and Marandu grasses, respectively. The concentrate supplementation level influenced the type of pasture (p < 0.05). A higher consumption of DM, CP, NDF, and organic matter was registered for the supplemented animals (p < 0.05) and on Aruana grass. The intake in relation to body weight was significantly influenced by the concentrate levels (p < 0.05). The empty body weight and HCW were significantly influenced by the supplementation levels (p < 0.05). The ADG and feed conversion (FC; kg DM/ADG) were influenced by the supplementation levels and type of pasture. The BCSs differed between the concentrate levels (p < 0.05). The supplementation improved dry matter digestibility. The ADG and FC were superior in the supplemented animals, with an advantage for those grazing on Aruana grass. The slaughter ADG was also higher in the supplemented animals. The lambs’ pasture comprising Aruana grass with 1.5% BW of concentrate supplementation showed improved production and economic results.

Dry matter and organic matter digestibility of complete feed based on durian waste (Durio zibethinus Murr.) as local male sheep feed

Durian waste has the potential to be used as livestock feed, but it needs further processing to increase its nutritional value. The aim of this study was to examine the value of dry matter and organic matter digestibility of complete feed based on durian waste as local male sheep feed. Apart from that, this research also aims to create a sustainable agricultural system with zero waste. The design used a completely randomized design (CRD) 4x4. The treatment consisted of P0 = control; P1 = CF with 20% durian peel + 20% durian seed + 20% elephant grass; P2 = CF with 30% durian peel + 20% durian seed + 10% elephant grass; P3 = CF with 40% durian peel + 20% durian seed. The result showed that the use of durian waste in the complete feed had a significant (P<0.05) effect on the consumption and digestibility of dry matter and organic matter. The conclusion of this study is the utilization of durian peel and seeds in complete feed can increase the consumption and digestibility of dry matter and organic matter for local male sheep with the best dosage being 30% durian peel + 20% durian seed + 10% elephant grass.